:: The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade
Written by Peter Weiss
Music by Richard Peaslee
Directed by Eric Little
Choreographed by Libby Silvia
Music Directed by Kad Day
Designed by John Armstrong, Carrie Lawrence and Eric Little

Performed by Debbie Allen, Brendan Allred, Anna Blair, Amy Brixey, Lavonne Byers, Ann Cailteux, Peter Campbell, Archie Coleman, Kad Day, Charles Huevelman, Greg Johnston, Julie Layton, Chopper Leifheit, Jason Little, Terry Meddows, Mark Moloney, Jan Niehoff, Mary O’Toole, Sara Renschen, Kelly Schnider, Doug Shelton, Julie Stockhausen, Julie Venegoni, Jennifer Wells and Anthony Wininger

Soulard Theatre
September 2004

Named Best Production and Director
-Playback Magazine’s “Best of 2004”

Named Best Production of 2004
“Top honors for this year’s best dramatic effort was Echo Theatre Co.’s chillingly effective presentation of MARAT/SADE. Peter Weiss’ seldom-seen play about the mayhem and madness behind the French revolution and its aftermath … Director Eric Little corralled the considerable talents of two dozen local actors for a superb interpretation.”
-Ladue News

“I saw MARAT/SADE yesterday at its final performance and was so overwhelmed that I had to write a letter of thanks and congratulations. This production was simply amazing! … Finally, I must say that even though I’ve seen many plays and musicals, both locally and in NYC, I have never been so struck with a feeling of “My God this what it’s all about!,” as I was yesterday. I don’t think any experience in the world can compare to being part of theatre at its best, and as an audience member yesterday I felt like part of something incredibly special.”
-letter from Sarah, audience member

“Director Eric Little directs MARAT/SADE flawlessly … I can honestly say that in this cast of 26 (including the two musicians) there was not a single weak link. Everybody has their own distinctly insane personalities and they stick to them throughout the entire show and all give one hell of a performance … As an ensemble the cast works wonders. When each character gets the chance to speak a line or two, they are nothing short of spectacular …Echo Theatre is to be commended for stepping up to the plate to offer St. Louis issue oriented material of this kind. With the vitriolic nature of the current presidential race, it’s refreshing to see theater that not only entertains, but also reminds us of our past by reflecting the parallels of today’s political unrest with that of a world 200 years past … This is raw. This is true. This is art.”
-Playback Magazine

  “It is noble and admirable to watch a young theater company attempt to perform as daring, provocative and sensational as playwright Peter Weiss’ MARAT/SADE. It is doubly rewarding to see this young theatre company execute it with the precision, artistry and passion of Echo Theatre under the direction of Eric Little. Simply put, this production is brimming with superior performances, and credit goes to Little for pulling everything together so tightly … Most notable portrayals come from Doug Shelton as Sade, Peter Campbell as Marat and, particularly, Kelly Schnider as Charlotte Corday. Lavonne Byers and Terry Meddows, as the heralds who narrate the play’s bridges, are especially bizarre, while Julie Layton, Anna Blair and Archie Coleman play a hellish trio of musical ghouls with anarchy on their minds … Kudos to scenic designer John Armstrong for the sterile but creepy set, Eric Little for the harsh lighting, Carrie Lawrence for the macabre costumes, Libby Salvia for the bizarre choreography and music director Kad Day and percussionist Joe Seely for the Brechtian tunes. ”
-Ladue News

“This Echo Theatre production of MARAT/SADE offers a rare opportunity, not only for audiences to witness the perverse entertainment, but also for actors to indulge in its idiosyncrasies. The large cast is a veritable who’s who of local actors … Terry Meddow’s manic, ultimately seditious performance alone justifies a visit to Soulard.”
-Riverfront Times

“The Tony Award winning drama of 1966 receives an interesting, worthy production from the Echo Theatre Company. Director Eric Little has done a remarkable job. He uses his cast of some two dozen performers very well. The excellent Lavonne Byers and Terry Meddows lead the cast as narrators and instigators, and Peter Campbell, starting slowly, builds to an excellent climax as Marat. Doug Shelton is strong as the legendary Marquise and Kelly Schnider a superior Charlotte Corday. Chopper Leifheit, Greg Johnston and Amy Brixey also stand out, and good work, too, from Anna Blair, Archie Coleman and Julie Layton as a sort of Greek chorus.”
-KWMU Radio